Forty students in inaugural cohort of Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy

Forty first-year students in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering – including 10 who will be based on Scott Campus in Omaha – have been chosen to the inaugural cohort of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy.

More than 100 applications were received for this new scholars' program.

The academy seeks to recruit and retain students committed to supporting and advancing women in engineering in the state of Nebraska and to providing students who have financial need with the resources and support to pursue careers in engineering, computing and construction.

The work of the academy is grounded in The Complete Engineer®, a College of Engineering initiative designed to ensure students participate in experiential learning in tandem with the technical expertise provided by a Big Ten degree. Through a cohort-based program of 40 scholars each year, these students will be empowered to make a positive impact in their field through exclusive seminar courses, dedicated success coaching, and support of staff and faculty.

Beyond developing students individually, the academy will foster an environment in the engineering community at large to increase gender diversity in the workforce and a sense of belonging for women in engineering, computing and construction.

Students in the academy will receive a full-tuition-and-fees scholarship for four years and may receive funding for a fifth year, on a case-by-case basis. The scholarship will also cover the students' housing and meals for up to four years in a University Housing residence on campus. Academy students will have a common living experience during their first two years in the program, will enroll in cohort-specific freshman and sophomore seminars, and will receive success coaching from dedicated program staff. Students also receive a $500 book stipend to the University bookstore, and a laptop for their studies.

The students in the first cohort of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy, with their hometowns and majors, and sorted by primary campus base:

Lincoln (City and East Campus)
Mary Addleman, Lincoln, biological systems engineering
Eric Andersen, Lincoln, software engineering
Oscar Bernabe Mateo, Grand Island, construction management
Lucia Chavez, Omaha, computer science and engineering
Tyler Gaspers, Norfolk, mechanical and materials engineering
Sydney Haffener, Kearney, biological systems engineering
Katia Henrriquez, Omaha, computer science and engineering
Ashley Hernandez, Omaha, civil and environmental engineering
Karla Hernandez Granillo, Omaha, computer science and engineering
Shyarea Higgins, Lincoln, software engineering
Hayley Hogan, Lincoln, mechanical and materials engineering
Hannah Howren, Papillion, mechanical and materials engineering
Anette Jimenez Sanchez, Omaha, chemical and biomolecular engineering
Joy Johnson, Lincoln, chemical and biomolecular engineering
Karley Kaiser, Blair, software engineering
Alison Konz, Lincoln, chemical and biomolecular engineering
Sophia-Rae Mace, Omaha, biological systems engineering
Anastasia MacNabb, Bellevue, software engineering
Abigail Murray, Omaha, biological systems engineering
Michael Peery, Seward, mechanical and materials engineering
Estefany Puc Nieto, Omaha, software engineering
Zainab Ridha, Lincoln, software engineering
Jade Romero, Kearney, computer science and engineering
Maryam Sule, Bellevue, chemical and biomolecular engineering
Rayden Thompson, Bellevue, chemical and biomolecular engineering
Ngoc Tran, Lincoln, electrical and computer engineering
Ally Tranquilino, Omaha, biological systems engineering
Elly Vo, Omaha, biological systems engineering
Alexandria Vohland, Kearney, biological systems engineering
Colton Wright, Elgin, construction engineering

Omaha (Scott Campus)
Ashlyn-Jordyn Barfield, Omaha, construction management
Brandon Fuentes-Valdivia, Omaha, pre-engineering
Audrey Hill, Omaha, civil and environmental engineering
Anthony Montegut II, Bennington, architectural engineering
Jozy Piper, Norfolk, architectural engineering
Teresa Plascencia, Omaha, architectural engineering
Angelin Raymundo, Schuyler, pre-engineering
Rachel Spawn, Omaha, architectural engineering
Madison Weinrich, Lincoln, pre-engineering
Ryan Yost, Norfolk, architectural engineering

The program is funded and developed in partnership with the Peter Kiewit Foundation, a private independent philanthropic trust that has awarded more than $750 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1979.

The Peter Kiewit Foundation was established by Peter Kiewit, a generous philanthropist and community leader who believed that Omaha was the best place to live in the United States. He attributed his success to the hardworking people of Nebraska and was determined to return his wealth and good fortune to its communities. After thoughtful planning throughout his lifetime, the bulk of his personal estate was set aside upon his death to create a foundation to support charitable and public purpose projects in Nebraska and other limited geographic areas. The foundation is a private independent philanthropic trust that is not legally or administratively affiliated with the operating companies that also bear Peter Kiewit's name.